Check out my FREE “Survival Checklist” to help you prepare for any adventure: www.tomlanghorne.com/survival-checklist659944 SIGN UP to my NEWSLETTER and join the tribe of likeminded souls embracing survival training for the art of living: www.tomlanghorne.com/
Super curious for what Scottish manuscript or book or resource you have for your staff fighting? Or is it just a mixed bag from all the staff fighting arts?
I once lived in asia for a bit. Two weeks after getting to the Himalayas I decided to go for a three day hike through the mountains. I was way too out of shape for that trip. At the end of the first day I found a thick bamboo staff laying in the mud. I picked it up and it definitely became a companion to me the rest of my time in Asia. I took it with me on all of my mountain hikes. Shared it with friends who were struggling. One time I sat on a big rock and waited for my friends and a Chinese girl called me wu kong. I laughed and she was surprised I knew who that was. I guess most Americans don’t care much for foreign folklore.
The Practicing of the rotations are really important with a staff and everyone, who says its useless doesn´t understand the fighting with it. The practice will teach you to always feel where your weapon is and how its moving next as well, as you said, gives you strength in grips and fast changing momentum and a state of flow. In a real fight your opponent will block your staff and sends it in a random direction. Either you use your power to stop the momentum of your staff and give it a new one back to the opponent, or you just feel it, use the momentum, finish the rotation and land a strike or at least bring your weapon back in a good position again. In the case, there will be no time to think about it - it has to be a reflex. A movement created by a movement, not by a thought.
My fav was when he mentions the port way of fighting and see the staff user creating a zone with his rotations because hats what a zwei would do as well - adding to what he says about its applicable to other weapons.
Love the stick work but really geeked out to see you mention Csikszentmihalyi's concept of "flow" and even show the cover of his book. It's an incredibly eye-opening piece of work, and though I see people mention its conclusions, I seldom see anyone cite the original source on it. You really do your homework.
2 things I've learned from my readings of Miyamoto Musashi is: 1) When facing an opponent it is important to hold your weapon in such a way that your opponent does not know the length of your weapon. 2) Try to focus your weapon at your enemy's face, he will try to move away.
As a filipino martial artist I deeply respect your dedication and hard work. Your intrinsic understanding of angles and range is impressive, I can see from the way you move. Clearly the staff is worth training
@@mrimc That actually happened at a martial arts tournament my sensei was a judge at. A guy was doing a bo kata and snapped it hitting the floor. He just picked up the pieces and immediately started doing a double stick kata without missing a beat. Sensei absolutely loved it.
Staff or small sticks were very cheap and today is underrated, middle ages knights or other elites in their time NEVER underestimated a peasent wearing a staff because they didn't knew the skill of the wielder it was yeas a cheaper weapon but a weapon carried almos all of his life old saying "sticks and stones may break this bones" and of course bend plate armor.
Lots of beautiful scenery and photography. An impressive number of locations, and an impressive level of trust shown between the combat demonstrators (did he slip when running onto that thrust in the snow?). Would only a Scot choose not to mention English quarterstaff in a video of this length and topic? Silver gets a mention, but not his nationality which was mentioned in other examples.
Hi Lindybeige! Big fan of your channel! Thanks for commenting! Purely a time limit thing really. Many other worthy mentions I didnt fit in. Also trying to mention lesser known stick fighting styles. Lots of my subscribers are interested in Scottish history so that was important to mention (although i think Zach Wylde was English born?) No malicious intentions ;) Thanks for watching
I have a staff or stick as my first form of defense, Apart from a gun you are virtually unbeatable with a long stick, And even if someone pulled a gun on you there is a very good chance you could hit them on the hand and arm with such a blow it would disable them from being able to fire the gun. Originally the stick was used by Shaolin monks as a way to defeat Samurai swordsmen without killing them as killing was against their religion. SO I believe.
It’s not just about how lethal a weapon is, the philosophy of a non-aggressive weapon is rlly interesting too. There’s a study about how violent symbols promote more violence, which is why police officers carrying guns all the time really just escalates violence. Something like staffs could be a good alternative since most police really don’t need guns.
@@unknownspider8 It's the same kind of debunked studies who claimed that violent video games cause violence. And the London stabbing epidemic and the Paris militarized street police tell another story.
I've always been fascinated with Martial Arts, both empty handed and weapon based. Knowing that there are a seemingly endless amount of combat disciplines, both diverse and similar is so enticing to me. The media I've consumed most of my life has no doubt fueled my infatuation with it all and I absolutely love content like this where we're given a more in depth look at the specifics of different styles.
Glad to see the use of thrusts. Thrusts are almost never depicted in movies and Tv when the staff is used , usually because the can cause so much more damage than most people realize and are hard to defend against even in choreographed sequences.
Sun Wukong almost always uses thrusts in his armed fights and almost always to kill whatever demon he's killing that day. But I suppose that because of who he is, the film makers/ showrunners want to portray him aptly and so he'll always have ideal choreography (he'll always have the fanciest moves).
That seems to apply to most blunt weapons. A thrust with a club, mace or baton would have a good amount of force behind it but is rarely seen on-screen.
my whole childhood was fighting kids with sticks, 50/50 as to whether or not i had a stick... then as an adult, i was told to spar a Kobudo expert... he had a stick, and i had empty hands! piece of piss, i thought.... until he started thrusting the Bo at my face like he was gonna play the most brutal game of snooker with my head that the world has ever seen, and my entire gameplan was shattered... he kicked my ass!
Earning your staff in Northern Shaolin is a milestone. You're officially at an "intermediate" level. We use rattan because of its strength and flexibility. Its called "The grandfather of all weapons". Nice content!
As someone who has done some filming of things being swung. I cannot understate just how difficult it must be to not look like a total nerd swinging a tool about. You look fantastic just moving about and it really speaks to how long you have done it!
Here in the Canary Islands we have “Juego del Palo”, where we use thin long sticks, similar to the French style shown. And Lucha del Garrote”, where we use a longer thicker staff.
@Mister Myxlplyx primitive yeah maybe but certainly not brutal and I would very much say it is more civilized than most common weapons in this now more brutal (but not quite as brutal as some) era
"Firstly, it looks cool" if I hadn't subbed three videos ago, that would have been it. The honesty there.. Followed by a nice look into flow. Spent six months around fire spinners in Thailand. Incredible group of people. I learned a lot from them.
This is one of the best down to earth presentations on the staff I have seen. I have been practicing Aikido and Jodo for the last 50 years and I like the realism you have been able to maintain good job and don't lose the simplicity.
Been spinning fire staff for 3.5 years. Your video is inspiring me to branch out and try out a few martial styles to spice up my flow and understanding. Awesome video
Never forget the Knight's weapon wasn't the sword, it was the poleaxe. What's a poleaxe? Just a big stick with a spear/axe/hammer head bolted onto the end of it.
*PhantomSavage* True ! swords were back up weapons mostly. you wore one just in case you lost your primary weapon. For untold millennia ,the spear was king on the battle field. A pointy stick dominated combat. Need i say more?
@@staffkingdray219 depends on what's exactly on the end. Small hammer long pick? War pick/crows beak. Big hammer small pick? Warhammer. Axe? War axe. Long cleaver like blade? Depending on shape that could be a halberd or even a billhook.
@@TheHomieLazy Depends on what they put on the end and your own strength, polearms are a broad definiton, it could be spear like, more heavy with ends resembling axes so your wider movement were way more deadly, it could have also been something like a rake/hook/scythe like, where you'd have hard time blocking it at all. Or glaives were basically a sword/blade on a sticks so if the ending wasn't too heavy or you were strong enough it'd be almost the same but with added sharpness.
I can't believe so much history and knowledge has been given in less than 17 minutes. Well done. Very well done. I'll be sure to check out your other videos.
I am in HEMA for 6 years now, and I can tell you that if you are good with longsword you can implement most of the techniques to the staff. Opposite is the same.
Let’s go, us Jo boys getting represented. I’ve been learning for about one summer, and it’s quickly become one of my favorite hobbies; I really do suggest it to anyone who is curious about staff fighting, as it is easier to learn (in my opinion) than some other Asian styles
Hahaha, I keep a staff in my office, and when I'm bored I take a break and practice some spins. I thought I was being weird, but now I'm validated by TH-cam! Thanks Fandabi for this excellent video; the practice in the snow looks awesome, better than most movies!
The roots are important to me, and you did an excellent coverage of their history. Entertaining, understandable, covering all bases. The top staff u-tube I've seen.
I'm pretty impressed, the first styles people think of when it comes to staffs are english quarterstaff and shaolin staff, but you managed to find 6 styles that aren't as prominent. That French great staff is terrifying.
From Little John's QuarterStaff in Robin Hood to the Bo Staff of China, I've long loved the Staff since I discovered it's use as a Boy Scout in the 80's. I have several, altho my fave is a 6' White Oak that I took from Sapling to Staff w/ my own hands, as you mention. Great Video!
Was about to sign up for hema classes but now Im gonna put that on hold and make myself a staff to practice and journey with before heading into german longsword, loved the video mate thanks for the inspiration!
Honest,y, this has captivated me and has encouraged to pick up my go and practice, relax, focus and remember by old bo training. Thank you for producing such a high quality video
im never this early . also i really love staffs as a traveling tool. on a good day a walking aid on a bad day a whacking aid. this is why youre my favorite youtuber
I am lucky enough to live in an area where multiple large types of bamboo grow. Training flow with a fresh 20 foot long bamboo stalk is one of my favorite practices. Best done alone with a good sense of humor, helps to expand strength, flexibility, humility, and balance. And it is just fun spinning a 20 foot stick behind your back like an anime hero once you get it going.
Your description of "flow" was exceptional. I don't think I've come across a better distillation of a concept that is simultaneously simple and complex.
I have just discovered my passion on the staff and practice regularly. The free flow at the end of the technique practice is really relaxing and almost doesn't want to end. Thank you for this exciting video, which has broadened my horizons.
"Deep wisdom comes through hard training" Thanks for the overview, you've obviously been putting in the training and time will only improve that. If you have any teachers, I'd appreciate if you could list them in the description. You were obviously having a blast sparring in the snow, thanks to Ben Hamilton for the great demonstration.
Aloha!! Awesome video! One more staff you might enjoy is that of the Maori warriors of Aotearoa (New Zealand) . The weapon is known as a Taiaha and at first glance looks like a wooden spear but is in fact a short battle staff. Shaped to perfectly accent the motions in Maori martial arts it is an awesome adaptation to the basic cylindrical staff.
I love how martial artists have taken the Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi Cognitive Flow chart. It's just such a great, unifying point for sports, games, creative projects, and work.
Great video. One minor point I'd like to add in regards to the spining, indeed it'si great for flow which is the primary benefit, however it does have some martial application in a limited context (same goes for nunchaku for that matter). It can be used to keep the opponent at bay, or to mask an attack which involves a "bigger more detectable movement", like a spinning "backfist"type of strike done with the staff or nunchaku... it's still a high risk flashy technique to spin into a spinning backfist type of strike, it's more suited for a duel or something like that where you start out from a distance, rather than an ambush or something in closer range... also more suited for an open environment as opposed to limited space (which goes for a lot of staff techniques, but especially spinning and using it to set up a big swing or a spinning backfist type of strike).
This was a really nice "video", and convincing presentation of this topic. I think I'll pick up some sticks and start to train! Love your humble, informative style!
Very comprehensive & interesting look at the staff! My thanks to you and your sparring partner. I carry a thick bamboo staff everywhere I go for about 7 years now. Ive been doing Tai Chi for 30 years, never had to use it for self defense but it's so useful & energetically powerful. Keep training sir, you're on an ancient path
What a fantastic video! You’ve perfectly touched on what many people find when start practicing martial arts - something I’ve always struggled to describe, well done!
I love the walking stick. Have you, looked at the Irish stick fighting? For myself, getting older, and living with cancer, I have a walking stick I made from Honey locust. It helps me with balance "issues", and it helps me maintain distance between myself and potential physical threats. Great topic God bless
Thank you very much for your video. My 10 year old son have started martial arts and he has stated he wanted to learn the art of staff fighting... well, at my age (50), I say.. ....BRING IT ON!!!!! YOUR VIDEO IS GRAND. I APPRECIATE THE HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE AND MOSTLY, THE PRACTICAL REASONS FOR A STAFF. THANK YOU, SIR!!!!
Brilliant piece of work. Thoroughly enjoyed this video. I'm going back to my cane training and I'm going to look for a good staff to work with too. History to Zen, this is a great (IMO) introduction to the staff as a training tool, self-defense weapon and most of all a means to slow the mind and center the body. Thank you!
It was nice seeing footage of Master Nuno Russo in your footage of Jogo do Pau, I've had the good fortune of meeting him several times and training under him a couple of times, and he is a great teacher and a very nice man.
I have never thought about "flow" before, and it's actually a quite interesting idea/concept. I'm not sure such a thing exists, as described in this video (a perfect state of mind between anxiety and boredom) but if it does, it would without a doubt be a "handy tool" in navigating life.
As HEMA guy I will say that poll weapons, including historically sized quarterstaff, are difficult to spar with safely. They just tend to hit really hard due to their weight and balance. You wind up needing some combination of heavy protective gear, lighter softer nerfesque weapons, and/or careful control to avoid injuries.
@@scottmacgregor3444 or just don't be an idiot? I spared with brothers and friends with staffs since I was a child never more than a couple injuries. Just maintain control and know when to stop
Zulu stick fighters carry a defending stick (ubhoko) in their other hand which they mostly use for parrying. D'amon Stith of HAMA focuses mostly on African Martial Arts if your interested.
I used to train with my ash staff daily sealed with linseed oil... I'm putting it back in my car again. Thanks for reminding me of the way. We wander sometimes into other mountains of masteries... The foundation of the way is bases our mountains
By far my favourite style of video of yours. I love Scottish marital history and marital arts in general (HEMA especially). Keep it the goos work pal your channle is brilliant!
If you like Saito sensei's jo work, you'd probably like Chiba sensei's jo work too. I've found the sancho exercises to be even more exquisite and thorough in learning my aiki-jyo and is great partner work.
I’m increasingly of the opinion that all combat should be filmed in the snow. It’s so cinematic. Wanting to fight in the snow, well that’s another matter…… Such a great video. I love this channel.
Always been into staff and polearms. I've been doing kung fu for about five years, and the bit I've learned with a spear has been my favorite, but our staff stuff is pretty awesome too. Sparring would be neat.
This was a really interesting watch! And your words on the flow state are probably the best description I've heard. The philosophical stuff at the end was also a pleasant surprise.
This is one of the best crossover translations I have seen. Enjoyable watchable , understandable, seriously calm. Great job . Reminds e of the 1st translations of Tao Te Ching from no comprehension Chinese to a barely understandable English. Thanku.
Your video is amazing and informative. There's also an Indian style of staff fighting known as "Lathi Khela". Lathi means staff and khela means sport. So basically its the game of the staff. I'm not sure but Lathi dates back to the sultanate era and was a popular game around eastern India and West Bengal. Nowhere else in India did the Lathi evolve into its own martial art as in Bengal, in the form of Lathi Khela - a visually arresting form of stick-fighting. As time passed this stunning martial arts died away due to lack of participation and future career prospects.
over 1000 comments so this will likely be lost in the noise but if you see this: killer video man. seriously. you produce phenomenal content. you're on the short list of my favorite channels.
A great video. Concisely explains many aspects of the Staff as a tool, weapon and philosophy. I particularly enjoyed the last parts of the video, where Fandabi Dozi uses an elegant flow of words and cadence to describe the harmony of mind and body in the practice of any martial arts technique. He does exactly what his words describe, uses the technique as a model for other areas of life, in this case a narrative.
I can totally see that! Not a chef but cooking Chinese food at home with various different meals for different members of the family going on at the same time. Something about urgency, timing and coordination necessary seems to contribute. Had a similar thing when I used to work in a busy bar.
Loved your approach. My bo is a little longer and heavier, 6 foot (but I'm 6'4"), and about 1kg, made of tropical hardwood.It's a fearsome weapon, as bruises everywhere attest during my practice. Brilliant for upper body strength. Your demonstration of different styles is excellent, and I admire your philosophy. Thanks for sharing.
My friend, I would love to join you sometime on an adventure across the highlands and talk philosophy and spar. If it is AT ALL possible, please let me know. May the Force be with you 😁
I really appreciate your thorough coverage of this topic, and the balanced view you have. I wish you the very best experience in this life. Hugs, brother.
Check out my FREE “Survival Checklist” to help you prepare for any adventure: www.tomlanghorne.com/survival-checklist659944
SIGN UP to my NEWSLETTER and join the tribe of likeminded souls embracing survival training for the art of living: www.tomlanghorne.com/
Super curious for what Scottish manuscript or book or resource you have for your staff fighting? Or is it just a mixed bag from all the staff fighting arts?
"You wouldn't deny an old man his walking stick, would you?"
"Nice try Gandalf! I'm not falling for that again."
Hama of Rohan
"Don't you need a secret weapon or something?" - "Oh, I already have one!" - "that's a broomstick" - " that's what I'm saying".
RIP Hama best guard of Meduseld.
Destructive disables
@@ibanganimeboys Shishou... is that you?
The fact a 15 minute video about sticks holds my attention speaks of your fine writinng!
STICK HELD US FOR THOUSANDS OF YEARS
YOU CAN STICK A FEW MINUTES OUT OF RESPECT YOUNG MAN
Me see stick Me wield stick Me happy
This video aktivated some Neurons
Always wanted to learn the staff, could never Stick with it.
Aye!
You sly dog!
You, yeah you I’m looking at you
Your pfp is my reaction to that joke.
You wood make such a stiff joke...
0:00 - Introduction
0:50 - Start roll ads
2:30 - Disclaimer
3:50 - What is a "staff"
4:50 - Staff for self defence (SSD)
8:35 - SSD n°1 *Japanese Jo*
9:40 - SSD n°2 *French Great Stick*
10:25 - SSD n°3 *Portugese Jo do pau*
11:15 - SSD n°4 *Scottish Quarterstaff*
12:15 - SSD n°5 *German Quarterstaff*
13:05 - SSD n°6 *Japanese Bo*
15:35 - Conclusion
Thank you. May your toast be perfectly made.
What about Chinese bo staff?
Jogo* do Pau
I once lived in asia for a bit. Two weeks after getting to the Himalayas I decided to go for a three day hike through the mountains. I was way too out of shape for that trip. At the end of the first day I found a thick bamboo staff laying in the mud. I picked it up and it definitely became a companion to me the rest of my time in Asia. I took it with me on all of my mountain hikes. Shared it with friends who were struggling.
One time I sat on a big rock and waited for my friends and a Chinese girl called me wu kong. I laughed and she was surprised I knew who that was. I guess most Americans don’t care much for foreign folklore.
I think Wu Kong is kinda mainstream nowadays
@@RicolaOnTheRocks this was before warframe and that Netflix show.
@@theeightbithero which netflix show?
LoL ?
@@theeightbithero God of Highschool? Is that even on Netflix?
The Practicing of the rotations are really important with a staff and everyone, who says its useless doesn´t understand the fighting with it. The practice will teach you to always feel where your weapon is and how its moving next as well, as you said, gives you strength in grips and fast changing momentum and a state of flow.
In a real fight your opponent will block your staff and sends it in a random direction. Either you use your power to stop the momentum of your staff and give it a new one back to the opponent, or you just feel it, use the momentum, finish the rotation and land a strike or at least bring your weapon back in a good position again. In the case, there will be no time to think about it - it has to be a reflex. A movement created by a movement, not by a thought.
My fav was when he mentions the port way of fighting and see the staff user creating a zone with his rotations because hats what a zwei would do as well - adding to what he says about its applicable to other weapons.
perfect
Additionally, spinning your staff theoretically deflects/blocks projectiles.
@@EatingWaffles Don't think it can block an arrow
@@EatingWaffles This is hollywood. You don't stand in the way of projectiles.
Sword: You can't just hit things and expect it to work!
Staff: haha stick go whack
stick go bonk
Swordsman: I will cut you to pieces
Staff : go to hell *bonk*
Sword: But If I do a half-assed parry, the whack could go chomp, fingers are not the best of cross guards
Why not use a titanium staff? Titanium super strong while also light.
@@2adamast Good luck parrying a big quarterstaff swing. It'll blow straight through and still have enough power to shatter your skull
Reject humanity, return to monke , return to stick.
ReTuRn To StIcK
The kids these days call it "MGTOW".
Reject humanity, reject monke, return to caveman
BONK
Yess! i agree
Great video. I loved the line "On a good day, a walking aid. On a bad day, a wacking aid." That had me laughing!
Love the stick work but really geeked out to see you mention Csikszentmihalyi's concept of "flow" and even show the cover of his book. It's an incredibly eye-opening piece of work, and though I see people mention its conclusions, I seldom see anyone cite the original source on it. You really do your homework.
I can see myself reading that work. I've always had a urge to maintain some kind of gentle flow in any social situation I enter.
2 things I've learned from my readings of Miyamoto Musashi is: 1) When facing an opponent it is important to hold your weapon in such a way that your opponent does not know the length of your weapon. 2) Try to focus your weapon at your enemy's face, he will try to move away.
How did you read Miyamoto Musashi? Do you have links? Is it translated or?
@@3nertia Dussault is maybe referring to Mityamoto Musashi's "book of 5 rings" which is widely available in english.
@@iankrom510 Ah, I should've suspected as much - I've already read that lol
Considering that Musashi won many of his most famous duels with improvised wooden weapons, this comment is especially apropos.
If your weapon isn't aimed at their heart; it should be aimed at their eyes, in the hope it will draw their attention
As a filipino martial artist I deeply respect your dedication and hard work. Your intrinsic understanding of angles and range is impressive, I can see from the way you move. Clearly the staff is worth training
I'm with you on that one!
@@mrimc That actually happened at a martial arts tournament my sensei was a judge at. A guy was doing a bo kata and snapped it hitting the floor. He just picked up the pieces and immediately started doing a double stick kata without missing a beat. Sensei absolutely loved it.
@@williamdrown1700 that man is awesome. I aspire to be even a fraction of that
Staff or small sticks were very cheap and today is underrated, middle ages knights or other elites in their time NEVER underestimated a peasent wearing a staff because they didn't knew the skill of the wielder it was yeas a cheaper weapon but a weapon carried almos all of his life old saying "sticks and stones may break this bones" and of course bend plate armor.
Lots of beautiful scenery and photography. An impressive number of locations, and an impressive level of trust shown between the combat demonstrators (did he slip when running onto that thrust in the snow?). Would only a Scot choose not to mention English quarterstaff in a video of this length and topic? Silver gets a mention, but not his nationality which was mentioned in other examples.
I would think a Frenchman would also intentionally neglect the mention of an Englishman.
Hi Lindybeige! Big fan of your channel! Thanks for commenting! Purely a time limit thing really. Many other worthy mentions I didnt fit in. Also trying to mention lesser known stick fighting styles. Lots of my subscribers are interested in Scottish history so that was important to mention (although i think Zach Wylde was English born?) No malicious intentions ;) Thanks for watching
Lindybeige!!
Wylde was English, so we´d covered that hehehe ;-) two flies with one staff so to speak
And we have at least one quote by Silver :-)
For those saying that it's "only a stick", remember that the world's greatest samurai, Myamoto Musashi, killed his greatest rival with a staff.
I have a staff or stick as my first form of defense, Apart from a gun you are virtually unbeatable with a long stick, And even if someone pulled a gun on you there is a very good chance you could hit them on the hand and arm with such a blow it would disable them from being able to fire the gun. Originally the stick was used by Shaolin monks as a way to defeat Samurai swordsmen without killing them as killing was against their religion. SO I believe.
@@mjchecksfield914 Shaolin monks are Chinese. Samurai are Japanese. I get your point though.
It’s not just about how lethal a weapon is, the philosophy of a non-aggressive weapon is rlly interesting too. There’s a study about how violent symbols promote more violence, which is why police officers carrying guns all the time really just escalates violence. Something like staffs could be a good alternative since most police really don’t need guns.
@@unknownspider8 It's the same kind of debunked studies who claimed that violent video games cause violence. And the London stabbing epidemic and the Paris militarized street police tell another story.
@@DTQC In the UK 90% of police aren’t armed and don’t want to be armed bc most criminals can’t get them either. There are other ways besides violence.
I've always been fascinated with Martial Arts, both empty handed and weapon based. Knowing that there are a seemingly endless amount of combat disciplines, both diverse and similar is so enticing to me. The media I've consumed most of my life has no doubt fueled my infatuation with it all and I absolutely love content like this where we're given a more in depth look at the specifics of different styles.
Glad to see the use of thrusts. Thrusts are almost never depicted in movies and Tv when the staff is used , usually because the can cause so much more damage than most people realize and are hard to defend against even in choreographed sequences.
Sun Wukong almost always uses thrusts in his armed fights and almost always to kill whatever demon he's killing that day. But I suppose that because of who he is, the film makers/ showrunners want to portray him aptly and so he'll always have ideal choreography (he'll always have the fanciest moves).
I mean, honestly, filmmakers probably just don't think they look as cool on camera
@@ianstiehl1994 Oh that is largely it. But it is easier to accidentally hurt someone with a mistimed thrust.
That seems to apply to most blunt weapons. A thrust with a club, mace or baton would have a good amount of force behind it but is rarely seen on-screen.
my whole childhood was fighting kids with sticks, 50/50 as to whether or not i had a stick... then as an adult, i was told to spar a Kobudo expert... he had a stick, and i had empty hands! piece of piss, i thought.... until he started thrusting the Bo at my face like he was gonna play the most brutal game of snooker with my head that the world has ever seen, and my entire gameplan was shattered... he kicked my ass!
“Speak softly and carry a big stick, you will go far”. Teddy Roosevelt, 26th president of the United States.
Earning your staff in Northern Shaolin is a milestone. You're officially at an "intermediate" level. We use rattan because of its strength and flexibility. Its called "The grandfather of all weapons". Nice content!
Pi-on borther who is yoir Sifu, we may share a lineage
As someone who has done some filming of things being swung. I cannot understate just how difficult it must be to not look like a total nerd swinging a tool about. You look fantastic just moving about and it really speaks to how long you have done it!
Here in the Canary Islands we have “Juego del Palo”, where we use thin long sticks, similar to the French style shown. And Lucha del Garrote”, where we use a longer thicker staff.
> On a good day, a walking aid, on a bad day, a whacking aid
Poetry
An elegant weapon, for a more civilised age
@Mister Myxlplyx
It's a starwars reference.
Hello there.
@Mister Myxlplyx primitive yeah maybe but certainly not brutal and I would very much say it is more civilized than most common weapons in this now more brutal (but not quite as brutal as some) era
@Mister Myxlplyx Is a machine gun more or less elegant? It always depend on the one looking at it. lol perspective is key
Hokey religions and ancient weapons are no match for a blaster kid.
Fantastic work as usual Fandabi, you're unparalleled here on TH-cam, I'm so glad you share your work with us.
"Firstly, it looks cool" if I hadn't subbed three videos ago, that would have been it. The honesty there.. Followed by a nice look into flow. Spent six months around fire spinners in Thailand. Incredible group of people. I learned a lot from them.
This is one of the best down to earth presentations on the staff I have seen. I have been practicing Aikido and Jodo for the last 50 years and I like the realism you have been able to maintain good job and don't lose the simplicity.
Been spinning fire staff for 3.5 years. Your video is inspiring me to branch out and try out a few martial styles to spice up my flow and understanding.
Awesome video
As a kung fu pratictioner, I would say that this video is very interesting for my own practice. Thanks for sharing it.
Never forget the Knight's weapon wasn't the sword, it was the poleaxe. What's a poleaxe? Just a big stick with a spear/axe/hammer head bolted onto the end of it.
*PhantomSavage*
True ! swords were back up weapons mostly. you wore one just in case you lost your primary weapon.
For untold millennia ,the spear was king on the battle field. A pointy stick dominated combat. Need i say more?
agreed, but respectfully, that would make the weapon unbalanced and not have as much maneuverability as the staff
Isn’t that called a halberd?
@@staffkingdray219 depends on what's exactly on the end. Small hammer long pick? War pick/crows beak. Big hammer small pick? Warhammer. Axe? War axe. Long cleaver like blade? Depending on shape that could be a halberd or even a billhook.
@@TheHomieLazy Depends on what they put on the end and your own strength, polearms are a broad definiton, it could be spear like, more heavy with ends resembling axes so your wider movement were way more deadly, it could have also been something like a rake/hook/scythe like, where you'd have hard time blocking it at all. Or glaives were basically a sword/blade on a sticks so if the ending wasn't too heavy or you were strong enough it'd be almost the same but with added sharpness.
love this.
I can't believe so much history and knowledge has been given in less than 17 minutes. Well done. Very well done. I'll be sure to check out your other videos.
I am in HEMA for 6 years now, and I can tell you that if you are good with longsword you can implement most of the techniques to the staff. Opposite is the same.
True
Be wary of locking-in to what you're comfortable doing, though. Transfer, don't translate.
One of the best descriptions of Flow I've ever heard/seen!
Yes, very Kung Fu where circular movements are made
:) Gandalf totally used that 'You can't regulate an old man with his walking stick' formula.
Let’s go, us Jo boys getting represented. I’ve been learning for about one summer, and it’s quickly become one of my favorite hobbies; I really do suggest it to anyone who is curious about staff fighting, as it is easier to learn (in my opinion) than some other Asian styles
Hahaha, I keep a staff in my office, and when I'm bored I take a break and practice some spins. I thought I was being weird, but now I'm validated by TH-cam! Thanks Fandabi for this excellent video; the practice in the snow looks awesome, better than most movies!
The roots are important to me, and you did an excellent coverage of their history. Entertaining, understandable, covering all bases. The top staff u-tube I've seen.
One can say, stick with it
I'm pretty impressed, the first styles people think of when it comes to staffs are english quarterstaff and shaolin staff, but you managed to find 6 styles that aren't as prominent. That French great staff is terrifying.
From Little John's QuarterStaff in Robin Hood to the Bo Staff of China, I've long loved the Staff since I discovered it's use as a Boy Scout in the 80's. I have several, altho my fave is a 6' White Oak that I took from Sapling to Staff w/ my own hands, as you mention. Great Video!
Was about to sign up for hema classes but now Im gonna put that on hold and make myself a staff to practice and journey with before heading into german longsword, loved the video mate thanks for the inspiration!
Do german longsword. The footwork is basically the same and a lot of it carries over
Honest,y, this has captivated me and has encouraged to pick up my go and practice, relax, focus and remember by old bo training. Thank you for producing such a high quality video
I’m just here to look at handsome men spar with each other like two Scottish Jedi and any learning that happens is purely incidental.
Same:)
Nothing more sexy than that!!!
If they're founding a Scottish Jedi order, can I join it
mmmyes
With all due respect, that is low key one of the best parts of this channel.
im never this early . also i really love staffs as a traveling tool. on a good day a walking aid on a bad day a whacking aid. this is why youre my favorite youtuber
I am lucky enough to live in an area where multiple large types of bamboo grow. Training flow with a fresh 20 foot long bamboo stalk is one of my favorite practices. Best done alone with a good sense of humor, helps to expand strength, flexibility, humility, and balance. And it is just fun spinning a 20 foot stick behind your back like an anime hero once you get it going.
0:36 i love that sound..
BOFFERS!!❤
That's beautifull, really. Now I really miss practicing aikido. Lots of nostalgy watching those moves...
I'm so here for the HEMA arc of this channel
The original weapon, a big stick
Your description of "flow" was exceptional. I don't think I've come across a better distillation of a concept that is simultaneously simple and complex.
I have just discovered my passion on the staff and practice regularly. The free flow at the end of the technique practice is really relaxing and almost doesn't want to end. Thank you for this exciting video, which has broadened my horizons.
"Deep wisdom comes through hard training" Thanks for the overview, you've obviously been putting in the training and time will only improve that. If you have any teachers, I'd appreciate if you could list them in the description. You were obviously having a blast sparring in the snow, thanks to Ben Hamilton for the great demonstration.
Aloha!! Awesome video! One more staff you might enjoy is that of the Maori warriors of Aotearoa (New Zealand) . The weapon is known as a Taiaha and at first glance looks like a wooden spear but is in fact a short battle staff. Shaped to perfectly accent the motions in Maori martial arts it is an awesome adaptation to the basic cylindrical staff.
They also used what one could describe as a "short club" called a patu, that was made from either hard wood, jade or hard stones like basalt or slate.
I love how martial artists have taken the Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi Cognitive Flow chart. It's just such a great, unifying point for sports, games, creative projects, and work.
He died today.
Great video. One minor point I'd like to add in regards to the spining, indeed it'si great for flow which is the primary benefit, however it does have some martial application in a limited context (same goes for nunchaku for that matter). It can be used to keep the opponent at bay, or to mask an attack which involves a "bigger more detectable movement", like a spinning "backfist"type of strike done with the staff or nunchaku... it's still a high risk flashy technique to spin into a spinning backfist type of strike, it's more suited for a duel or something like that where you start out from a distance, rather than an ambush or something in closer range... also more suited for an open environment as opposed to limited space (which goes for a lot of staff techniques, but especially spinning and using it to set up a big swing or a spinning backfist type of strike).
This is an absolute treat of a video, and inspirational. The itch to write of the endevours of a traveler and their humble stick is intense.
I would love to see you post some more videos on Staff martial arts in the future, and I really enjoyed this one. Thank you!
"you can't regulate a stick"
Government: Hold my beer.
It's a medical device; if it's a cane.
oi bruv you got a loicense for that stick?
Government: Okay you can have a stick, as long as it's a cane.
1900 English Gentlemen: But what if I wanted to cripple somebody with that too.
This was a really nice "video", and convincing presentation of this topic. I think I'll pick up some sticks and start to train! Love your humble, informative style!
Great video and work of 15 years of practice and knowledge. The Portuguese Jogo do Pau is also driven from the sword Montante or big sword.
Very comprehensive & interesting look at the staff! My thanks to you and your sparring partner. I carry a thick bamboo staff everywhere I go for about 7 years now. Ive been doing Tai Chi for 30 years, never had to use it for self defense but it's so useful & energetically powerful. Keep training sir, you're on an ancient path
What a fantastic video! You’ve perfectly touched on what many people find when start practicing martial arts - something I’ve always struggled to describe, well done!
I love the walking stick. Have you, looked at the Irish stick fighting? For myself, getting older, and living with cancer, I have a walking stick I made from Honey locust. It helps me with balance "issues", and it helps me maintain distance between myself and potential physical threats.
Great topic
God bless
Or zulu stick fighting
Bowstaff was always my favorite. Just so versatile!
Seeing the shot at 2:57 quickly helped me learn the proper technique of doing the behind the back bo spin - this will reinvigorate my training lots
Thank you very much for your video. My 10 year old son have started martial arts and he has stated he wanted to learn the art of staff fighting... well, at my age (50), I say.. ....BRING IT ON!!!!! YOUR VIDEO IS GRAND. I APPRECIATE THE HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE AND MOSTLY, THE PRACTICAL REASONS FOR A STAFF. THANK YOU, SIR!!!!
Time to visit the woods again for a staff. Great video again!
"my intentions is not to promote violence" proceeds to beat the enemy with his staff .
best bond villain line .
Brilliant piece of work. Thoroughly enjoyed this video. I'm going back to my cane training and I'm going to look for a good staff to work with too. History to Zen, this is a great (IMO) introduction to the staff as a training tool, self-defense weapon and most of all a means to slow the mind and center the body. Thank you!
It was nice seeing footage of Master Nuno Russo in your footage of Jogo do Pau, I've had the good fortune of meeting him several times and training under him a couple of times, and he is a great teacher and a very nice man.
Not only is the information masterfully presented, your editing and creative vision in this video is top-notch. Thanks for sharing!!
I have never thought about "flow" before, and it's actually a quite interesting idea/concept.
I'm not sure such a thing exists, as described in this video (a perfect state of mind between anxiety and boredom) but if it does, it would without a doubt be a "handy tool" in navigating life.
It's also the state and feeling of concentration where time becomes irrelevant 😎👌
As HEMA guy I will say that poll weapons, including historically sized quarterstaff, are difficult to spar with safely.
They just tend to hit really hard due to their weight and balance. You wind up needing some combination of heavy protective gear, lighter softer nerfesque weapons, and/or careful control to avoid injuries.
it's like the age old question of how do you make a mace safe?
@@b-beale1931 Nerf or nothing sadly. And then it handles nothing like an actual mace/poll weapon
@@scottmacgregor3444 or just don't be an idiot? I spared with brothers and friends with staffs since I was a child never more than a couple injuries.
Just maintain control and know when to stop
@@mondaysinsanity8193 So literally what I already said?
Very true. Nine feet of hardwood kills more easily than modern man can conceive.
Did you have a look into the African stick fighting, Zulu etc.?
They seem way less focused on parrying than European or East Asian systems.
Not necessarily in Tahtib there is a lot of parrying, Donga as well.
Zulu stick fighters carry a defending stick (ubhoko) in their other hand which they mostly use for parrying.
D'amon Stith of HAMA focuses mostly on African Martial Arts if your interested.
dont forget the zulu iwisa when all else fails just throw the stick, pull out your other stick
Silambam(indian stick fight) doesn't cara much about parrying/blocking too
Asian systems are not about parrying, and an excellent swordsman/woman understands that to wind-and-bind well makes all the difference
I used to train with my ash staff daily sealed with linseed oil... I'm putting it back in my car again. Thanks for reminding me of the way. We wander sometimes into other mountains of masteries... The foundation of the way is bases our mountains
I have immerse myself in many martial arts, but you have open me up to many more. Kudos to you
What more can I say, you should have your own show on Discovery or History channel, excellent video :)
By far my favourite style of video of yours. I love Scottish marital history and marital arts in general (HEMA especially).
Keep it the goos work pal your channle is brilliant!
One wedding is pretty much the same as another...; D
If you like Saito sensei's jo work, you'd probably like Chiba sensei's jo work too. I've found the sancho exercises to be even more exquisite and thorough in learning my aiki-jyo and is great partner work.
thank you for mentioning o Jogo do Pau, from Portugal
I’m increasingly of the opinion that all combat should be filmed in the snow. It’s so cinematic.
Wanting to fight in the snow, well that’s another matter……
Such a great video. I love this channel.
Always been into staff and polearms. I've been doing kung fu for about five years, and the bit I've learned with a spear has been my favorite, but our staff stuff is pretty awesome too. Sparring would be neat.
Is this why we all have an urge to find that perfect stick?
*literally jumps into it*
"Now before I jump into it"
Me: *visible confusion*
This was a really interesting watch! And your words on the flow state are probably the best description I've heard. The philosophical stuff at the end was also a pleasant surprise.
This is one of the best crossover translations I have seen. Enjoyable watchable , understandable, seriously calm. Great job . Reminds e of the 1st translations of Tao Te Ching from no comprehension Chinese to a barely understandable English. Thanku.
Your video is amazing and informative. There's also an Indian style of staff fighting known as "Lathi Khela". Lathi means staff and khela means sport. So basically its the game of the staff. I'm not sure but Lathi dates back to the sultanate era and was a popular game around eastern India and West Bengal. Nowhere else in India did the Lathi evolve into its own martial art as in Bengal, in the form of Lathi Khela - a visually arresting form of stick-fighting. As time passed this stunning martial arts died away due to lack of participation and future career prospects.
Humanity: invents automatic firearms
One random guy on youtube: hear me out tho I can spin it real fast
@Another Wacko probably Walmart
@Another Wacko so you may use the stick untill they open
@Another Wacko this is exactly what protests are for
@Another Wacko Don't worry about that Staff, Stick to the branches you know, O-cane.
@Another Wacko Staff-puns :)
"The original social distancing tool..." Love it.
over 1000 comments so this will likely be lost in the noise but if you see this: killer video man. seriously. you produce phenomenal content. you're on the short list of my favorite channels.
A great video. Concisely explains many aspects of the Staff as a tool, weapon and philosophy. I particularly enjoyed the last parts of the video, where Fandabi Dozi uses an elegant flow of words and cadence to describe the harmony of mind and body in the practice of any martial arts technique. He does exactly what his words describe, uses the technique as a model for other areas of life, in this case a narrative.
When cooking in a professional kitchen during service, you hit the flow state almost daily.
I can totally see that! Not a chef but cooking Chinese food at home with various different meals for different members of the family going on at the same time. Something about urgency, timing and coordination necessary seems to contribute. Had a similar thing when I used to work in a busy bar.
See: Man The Happy Slave.
Servers in busy establishments, too. Delivering platters of food in a busy environment requires agility, stability, flexibility, and awareness...
Mate, your defining a whole Scottish Martial art here....
Loved your approach. My bo is a little longer and heavier, 6 foot (but I'm 6'4"), and about 1kg, made of tropical hardwood.It's a fearsome weapon, as bruises everywhere attest during my practice. Brilliant for upper body strength. Your demonstration of different styles is excellent, and I admire your philosophy. Thanks for sharing.
As a practitioner/player of Shaolin since '97 I really enjoyed this. Great content.
"You can't regulate stick"
Tokugawa shogunate: "Hold my sake"
My friend, I would love to join you sometime on an adventure across the highlands and talk philosophy and spar. If it is AT ALL possible, please let me know. May the Force be with you 😁
This would be cool a 3/4 person camping/hiking adventure through Scotland hosted my Fandabi himself 🤘🏽
Me: Searching for a hiking stick
Me 1 week later: ...
13:50 I love the way you explain the concept of flow and that small graphic of the balance between opposites.
I really appreciate your thorough coverage of this topic, and the balanced view you have. I wish you the very best experience in this life. Hugs, brother.